DaVinci Resolve APIBeginnerRender

How to List Render Presets with the DaVinci Resolve Python API

Use GetRenderPresetList and LoadRenderPreset to prepare a render from Python

Read the Render Presets available to the current Resolve project, select a suitable preset, and load it safely before creating a Render Job.

API

Resolve Scripting API

Language

Python

Resolve

19–20+

Requires

Running Resolve

Syntax

presets = project.GetRenderPresetList()
project.LoadRenderPreset(preset_name)

Parameters

• The relevant arguments are shown in the complete working example below. Validate paths, object types, and required project state before calling the API method.

Returns

Always validate the returned object, list, identifier, or boolean before continuing to the next automation step.

Complete working Python exampleuse it as a starting point for your own script

import os
import sys
from pathlib import Path


def import_resolve_module():
    try:
        import DaVinciResolveScript as dvr
        return dvr
    except ImportError:
        search_paths = [
            os.environ.get("RESOLVE_SCRIPT_API", ""),
            os.environ.get("RESOLVE_MODULES", ""),
            r"C:\\ProgramData\\Blackmagic Design\\DaVinci Resolve\\Support\\Developer\\Scripting\\Modules",
            "/opt/resolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules",
            "/opt/BlackmagicDesign/DaVinciResolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules",
            "/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules",
            str(Path.home() / "Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Developer/Scripting/Modules"),
        ]
        for path in search_paths:
            if path and os.path.isdir(path) and path not in sys.path:
                sys.path.append(path)
        import DaVinciResolveScript as dvr
        return dvr


def safe_call(obj, name, *args):
    try:
        fn = getattr(obj, name, None)
        if callable(fn):
            return fn(*args)
    except Exception:
        return None
    return None


dvr = import_resolve_module()
resolve = dvr.scriptapp("Resolve")
if not resolve:
    raise RuntimeError("DaVinci Resolve API is unavailable")

project = resolve.GetProjectManager().GetCurrentProject()
if not project:
    raise RuntimeError("No DaVinci Resolve project is open")

timeline = project.GetCurrentTimeline()
if not timeline:
    raise RuntimeError("No active Timeline")
presets = project.GetRenderPresetList() or []
print("Render presets:")
for preset in presets:
    print("-", preset)

preferred = "YouTube"
selected = None

for preset in presets:
    if preferred.lower() in str(preset).lower():
        if project.LoadRenderPreset(preset):
            selected = preset
            break

if selected:
    print("Loaded preset:", selected)
else:
    print("Preset with name fragment not found:", preferred)

Guide

What the example does

The script reads the current project’s Render Preset list and prints each preset name. It then searches for a requested name fragment and loads the first matching preset with LoadRenderPreset.

Why a preset can be better than a fully manual configuration

Codec, container, profile, and bitrate options can vary across Resolve versions and operating systems. Keeping the stable base configuration in a Resolve preset lets Python focus on selecting that preset and overriding only project-specific values such as the output folder and file name.

A practical production pattern

Before a batch render, check that the expected preset exists and stop with a clear error when it does not. This makes render settings easier to keep consistent across several workstations without duplicating every Deliver-page option in code.

How the example works

Connect to Resolve

Establish a Resolve Scripting API connection and stop early if the application object is unavailable.

Validate the current context

Check the active project, Timeline, Media Pool, source paths, or Render Queue state required by this specific operation.

Run the core API operation

Execute the operation demonstrated in this guide: how to list render presets with the davinci resolve python api.

Validate the result

Check the returned value before the workflow continues. Resolve methods often signal an unavailable object or failed operation with None, False, or an empty result.

Resolve API notes

GetRenderPresetList() can return an empty list.
Preset names depend on the presets installed or created in the current Resolve environment.
LoadRenderPreset() returns a success value; check it before continuing.
After loading a preset, TargetDir and CustomName can still be overridden with SetRenderSettings().

Common errors

Resolve API is unavailable

Reason: Resolve is closed or Python cannot import/use DaVinciResolveScript.

Fix: Start Resolve and verify the Developer/Scripting/Modules path from the same Python interpreter used by the script.

The method returns None or False

Reason: A required project, Timeline, clip, preset, path, or application state is missing.

Fix: Validate each input and add explicit result checks after important Resolve API calls.

The script only works on one workstation

Reason: Paths or environment assumptions are hard-coded for a single operating system or machine.

Fix: Move paths into configuration and support the required Windows, Linux, and macOS locations explicitly.

Next step

Continue only after the current operation has returned the expected Resolve object or result.

Related API guides

Render